FDA needs bitter medicine against inertia

The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has been under the scanner in the eyes of the public in recent times. There have been complaints galore about the quality of milk being distributed in Mumbai, along with complaints of adulterated food and spurious drugs.

A new commissioner has taken over the reins of this prestigious, powerful institute which checks the very lifeline of the state, but things seem to be the same as in old times at the FDA headquarters at the Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai.

Traditionally, FDA’s role has been that of a watchdog as well as a bloodhound. While it is expected to keep a ear to the ground and collect material on all that is amiss on the food and drugs scene, it can also arrest, prosecute and bring to book all those who violate the Drugs and Medicine Remedies Act, the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act and others.

The ground realities of the situation are, however, far from ideal. Rampant corruption in its ranks, inefficiency in detection and lackadaisical prosecutors have meant that an adulterator is more likely to get away with the crimes, even if he were to be identified by the FDA.

The JJ Hospital Glycerol Scam of the ‘80s seems to have had little or no impact on the working of this organisation, while its American counterpart, the US FDA, is one of the most feared bodies in the world.

The Maharashtra FDA still works in an archaic system which makes it the object of ridicule for those who have some idea of its functioning.

For example, a sample seized by an FDA inspector or brought in by any complainant is subjected to be tested within a maximum of 45 days.

However, the samples are not tested till as late as 40 days after seizure and the reports are released only on the 45th day. This makes the entire process open to tampering, pressurisation from nefarious persons who corrupt the system.

People who have complained about goods purchased have the mortification of being repeatedly told that the `action is under way’ and the complainant is kept in the dark about the proceedings till it becomes inevitable to tell him every thing.

This has led to a situation where the lay person has little or no faith in the capacity and honesty of the FDA to conduct an impartial inquiry regarding their complaints. The Commissioner will have his work cut out only if he thinks out of the box and does something concrete to improve the situation as it stands today like:

The FDA spends huge money in public awareness campaigns in the form of ads and posters. This is a total waste of money. These activities are better left to the consumer organisations and the money could be used by the FDA to improve infrastructure in its testing centres.

The test results and complaint redressal must be attended to on war footing. The outcome of these investigations should be completed within 48 hours.

The FDA must publish the final outcome of complaints on its web-site and directly to complainants. Consumers must be given the opportunity to pursue their complaints with higher authorities if they are not satisfied with the reports given to them by the officers of the lower ranks.